kpix5 joins us from the news room with more on the week of events in honor of the civil rights legend. kate? >> reporter: more than 50 heads of state will be in attendance making it the largest gatherings of world leaders in recent history and now at south african police officers are tasked with insuring it is a secure memorial. 11,000 soldiers have been deployed around the country to protect the mourners, about 80,000 people are expected to attend and the head of south africa's national defense force says the country is prepared for the challenge of keeping so many dignitaries safe. the week long event honoring the leader kicked off yesterday with a national day of prayer. that leader died, nelson mandela died thursday at age 95. at one ceremony, mandela was remembered by the man who succeeded him, now south africa's president. >> what inspired by what he and his generation were able to do to modellize millions of our people, to engage in struggle, to end in justice. >> president obama and first lady michelle obama will attend a public memorial service for mandela tomorrow. former pr